Siberian cat - WikiHQ

Since 2004, the breed has been recognised for registry with the GCCF (predominantly in the UK). By 2022, the Siberian cat (incl. NM) was the 9th most registered cat breed in the GCCF, while in 2012 it was still in 20th place, and in 2017 in 15th place. In the FIFe 2024 statistics, 3.147 kittens —representing approx. 3,3% of their total registrations— were registered, ranking them at position 8th. The NM was at the 9th position with 2.977 or 3,1% of all registered kittens. In comparison, in 2019, the Siberian breed held the 6th position with 4,5% (4.466 cats), whilst the NM was 11th with 2,3% (2.273 cats) of registrations.<br />

The LOOF serves as the national registry for all pedigreed cats in France, including those imported from other countries. Between 2003 and 2022, Siberian cats (incl. NM) accounted for 4,27% of all registered cats. Their numbers have seen significant growth over the years, starting with just 32 Siberian cats in 2003. This figure increased to 215 by 2010, soared to 903 in 2015, and ultimately reached 2.737 by 2022. Making it the 6th most popular breed in France in the year 2022, and 10th over the total 2003–2022 period.<br />

Similar to the popularity seen in the (primarily) European registry numbers, the Siberian (incl. NM) is also growing in popularity in the CFA (active in the USA). In 2017, the Siberian was the 15th most registered cat breed in the CFA, while in 2012 it was still in the 18th place. Since the 2020s, the Siberian gained worldwide in popularity. It jumped from the 15th place in 2020, to the 11th place in 2021, and made it in 2022 for the first time to the top 10 at the number 10 spot.<br />

In 2022, there were 152 Siberian (incl. NM) breeders out of the 42.864 breeders registered in TICA, predominantly in the USA and Canada. In 2023, there were 55 Siberian breeders out of the 76.682 breeders registered with FIFe, predominantly in Europe. The number of these breeders only represents the ones, which use the word "Siberia", "Siberian" or "Syberian" in their cattery name.<br />

In September 2023, there were a total of 40.700 (incl. deceased) Siberian and NM cats registered with the worldwide PawPeds, the biggest cat pedigree database worldwide and used by breeders to increase genetic variation and prevent the spread of hereditary diseases in pedigree cats. Out of the total 40.700 cats, 33.500 were born after 2000. Although heavy boned, the legs are relatively short.

Siberians have a slight arch to their back, because their hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs. Female Siberians are considerably smaller than males. Full-grown adults weigh on average between 4,5–9kg. The eyes are large and round, and give an overall sweet expression to their face. In Siberians the golden colouration is caused by the CORIN-gene. The gene is located on the wide band locus, and the responsible allele is only found in the Siberian breed. The two other identified alleles on this wide band locus are responsible for the golden coats in golden tigers and British Shorthairs.

The Eastern colourpoint pattern is found in the Neva Masquerade, It is advisable and in most cat registries (and certain countries) mandatory to test (BEAR- or OAE-testing) white cats for this trait before breeding with them.

Eye colour

Siberians come in all eye colours, but clear colours are desirable. which results in darker markings on the extremities of their body and bright blue eyes. The gene pool of the Siberian and the Neva Masquerade share a big overlap, as the two have been crossbred for many years. Nowadays, there exists a test for point mutations, which allows breeders to specifically target carriers of the popular point gene.

The Siberian breed was generally recognised in the late-1990s and 2000s by the cat fancy, however, some registries chose to not accept colourpoint varieties in the Siberian breed and register these colourpoint cats under the Neva Masquerade breed.

Recent studies

Although the Neva Masquerade shares many characteristics with the Siberian in terms of character and appearance, recent studies have shown distinctions between the two in terms of body language, and feline hereditary diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD). The prevalence of PKD in the Neva Masquerade gene pool is of concern as crossbreeding the two sister breeds could potentially spread PKD into the Siberian breed.

Fur allergen levels

While there is no allergen-free cat or dog breed, the hypoallergenic dander qualities of the Siberian coat have been noted and commented on for almost ten years. While there is no scientific evidence, breeders and pet owners claim that Siberians can be safe for many allergy sufferers. Since females of all feline breeds produce lower levels of Fel d 1, breeders often suggest that allergic families adopt female cats. Allergy sufferers are advised to check their reactivity directly with the parent cats from whom they plan to adopt a kitten. Many people believe that the breed produces less , the primary allergen present in cats.

In 1999, Indoor Biotechnologies tested the fur of four cats for ; a mixed breed, two Siberians, and an Abyssinian. The results showed the Siberian and Abyssinian cat fur as having lower levels than the mixed breed cat.

A not-for-profit association of breeders (Siberian Research Inc) was founded in 2005 to study allergen levels and genetic diseases in the Siberian breed. As of March 2010, fur and saliva samples from over 300 Siberians have been submitted for analysis, many directly from a veterinarian. Salivary allergen levels in Siberians ranged from of saliva, while fur levels ranged from . The high end of these ranges is consistent with results from prior studies, though the low end is below expected results.

All Siberians tested were found to produce some . About half of Siberians were found to have levels lower than other breeds, while under twenty percent would be considered very low. Within the low group, males and females had comparable allergen levels.

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External links

Siberian cat photos